Vasque Shoes: Women's Kota XCR Hiking Shoe

A multisport shoe that excels when carrying moderate loads on trails, the Vasque Women's Kota XCR Hiking Shoe earned a Best Low-Cut for Backpacking rating in Backpacker magazine's 2007 Gear Guide. Why is it so great? The reasons are many, not the least of which is the tremendous support, especially noticeable when the trail gets rough. A molded thermoplastic urethane (TPU) plate with heel stabilizer located between the Vasque Racer X outsole and compression molded EVA insole creates a semi-rigid platform that keeps the shoe from twisting when the trail fades away to nothing more than an unmaintained boot path. This makes the Kota XCR a little stiffer than some other hiking shoes on the market. But Vasque uses similar technology in their trail running shoes so the feel of the Kota is not a whole lot different than their lighter models. Waterproof nubuck and pig suede leather along with a tough rubber toe bumper cover virtually all of the upper, addressing the usual beating that hiking shoes take in the backcountry. For lack of a better description, the Vasque Kota XCR Hiking Shoe's incredible fit feels like it's a balloon inflated around your foot. Both the deep heel pocket and Keystone Control instep lacing feel comfortably snug from start to finish.

• Rated Best Low-Cut for Backpacking in the 2007 Backpacker magazine Gear Guide
• 1.8mm waterproof nubuck and pig suede leather upper with waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex® liner
• Compression molded EVA midsole for all-day cushioning on long routes and steep descents
• Molded thermoplastic urethane (TPU) plate with heel stabilizer for underfoot protection and stability
• Vasque Racer X outsole offers positive traction on varying terrain without excess weight
• Gusseted, padded tongue seals out debris and disperses pressure from laces and high mileage
• Removable, dual density EVA footbed for arch support, additional cushioning, and volume adjustment
• Weight: 1 lbs. 9 oz. (709 grams) per pair